Boerne

Q: Import behavior changed

I'm scanning some old photos. This workflow is going to seem odd, but feel like it is important to explain exactly what I did.

 

I imported the photos off a memory card into the Photos app. I adjusted the date/time and location. I then exported the files to an external (journaled) hard drive, and deleted them from my Photos library.

 

I used a third party app to rename the files and set the creation/modification dates to the exif date. I selected all the files and dropped them on the photos app. The photos app successfully imported them all as referenced files.

 

I wasn't expecting this behavior, but was very happy as I don't want all these new scans on my internal SSD. So now that I had done my test run, and I was very happy with the way it turned out (Images in order, correct date/time and location) I repeated the process with significantly more scans (144 vs. 4).

 

I followed the exact same workflow. This time, when I imported the files back into Photos they did not come in as referenced. Photos actually copied them into the library on the internal SSD.

 

Stumped on why it did it differently and how to get it to repeat the previous behavior.

 

Thank you.

iMac

Posted on Jul 7, 2016 8:00 AM

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Q: Import behavior changed

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  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jul 7, 2016 8:20 AM in response to Boerne
    Level 10 (84,185 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 7, 2016 8:20 AM in response to Boerne

    Being imported as referenced or managed is controlled by the Photos Preference setting to "copy items to the Photos library" - if it is checked (default) then they are copied to the Photos library, if it is unchecked (strongly not recommenced and very problematic) they are referenced rather than copies. Photos does not have the capabilities to handle a referenced library and using one will cause major problems over time - and it has no advantages - this article is about iPhoto buf applies to Photos too - iPhoto and File Management 

    Plus with Photos you add the fact that referenced photos can not be used with iCloud Photo Library

     

    LN

  • by Boerne,

    Boerne Boerne Jul 7, 2016 8:37 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 7, 2016 8:37 AM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks for the prompt response, Larry. I think I figured this out.

     

    If you import it off an SD card, it treats it as a managed file, regardless of preferences.

    If you re-import a file that is still in the "recently deleted", it appears to restore the file from the "recently deleted." So if it was managed, it stays managed.

    If you have edited the file outside of Photos, it treats it as a new file when it is re-imported, and uses the preferences setting.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jul 7, 2016 9:33 AM in response to Boerne
    Level 10 (105,680 points)
    iLife
    Jul 7, 2016 9:33 AM in response to Boerne
    If you re-import a file that is still in the "recently deleted", it appears to restore the file from the "recently deleted." So if it was managed, it stays managed.

    And that makes it tricky to change EXIF tags or other file attributes by reimporting. We have to be sure to empty the Recently Deleted album before reimporting a managed original file, or Photos will simply use the old original file.  It is nearly impossible to import duplicates. If we import the same photo twice, we will have two versions linked to the same original file.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jul 7, 2016 10:04 AM in response to Boerne
    Level 10 (84,185 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 7, 2016 10:04 AM in response to Boerne

    Which continues to add evidence to the fact that Photos does not handle referenced libraries well and using one is complicated, dangerous, unpredictable and makes it nearly impossible to replace defective hardware or upgrade systems and is not recommended

     

    LN